Walworth School

Inspection report for residential special school - Walworth School 1 Walworth School Walworth School, Bluebell Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5 7LP Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

This is a maintained special school for boys and girls. It provides primary education and residential care for children up to the age of 11. The children experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Many of the children have additional needs associated with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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Information about this residential special school

At the time of this inspection, 89 children were on the school roll. The school offers up to 30 residential places on a flexible boarding basis. There are 17 children who access the residential provision per week in two groups.

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Information about this residential special school

The headteacher has been in post since September 2021, and the head of care has been in post since October 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The residential special school provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the school contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for residential special school - Walworth School 2

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outstanding

Children say that they love staying at the residential provision. They say that they feel safe and that the adults always look after them well. Children are provided with new opportunities and experiences that enable them to learn how to become more self-aware and grow in confidence.

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outstanding

Staff prioritise and support children with their education, health and well-being, and they support children to develop their independence skills. This helps the children to flourish and make exceptional progress. Children’s outcomes have significantly improved since living at the residential provision. This extends to improvements in the family home with one parent saying, ‘[Name of child] has changed so much since staying at the school. The staff help me with routines and now [name of child] has a better relationship with me and their sibling.’

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outstanding

Input from specialist services, such as mental health professionals and occupational therapists, helps to form bespoke child-centred plans. This holistic approach is shared with the residential staff, school, parents and carers. Excellent communication and joined-up working between all the adults caring for the children have a significant and positive impact on children’s progress and development.

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outstanding

Children’s school attendance has increased because of the routine and structure that staff provide to support their needs. This approach is shared with parents and carers to ensure that there is consistency at home and during the children’s stays at the residential provision. A parent said, ‘My child is sleeping much better now and will go to bed at a reasonable time.’

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outstanding

Staff’s practice is informed by research to ensure that children’s needs are continuously being met. Staff engage children in a variety of ways that capture their attention during their stays. Staff proactively encourage the children’s sense of identity through creative play.

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outstanding

Parents and carers highly value the impact that the residential provision has on their children. They say how impressed they are with how their children continue to develop and grow to understand the world around them.

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outstanding

There is an exceptionally strong safeguarding culture at this residential provision. The designated safeguarding lead quickly responds to any concerns that may affect the children’s safety. She works closely with other safeguarding services. Staff understand their duty to keep the children safe. They know how to report any concerns and feel confident to do so. Inspection report for residential special school - Walworth School 3 Children continuously learn how to keep themselves safer through creative activities with staff. They learn about the dangers of weapons, the role of emergency services and what consent means. They learn about fire safety and are involved in fire evacuation drills during their stays at the residential provision. A child said, ‘I must be sensible when there is a fire drill, because they are important, and I know where the call points are too.’

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outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of the risks associated with each child. The head of care and the senior leadership team frequently review the children’s risk assessments to ensure that staff have up-to-date information about the children’s risks. The strategies to reduce risks are clear. The quality of these documents helps staff to respond to children’s risks effectively and efficiently.

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outstanding

Physical intervention is only used as a last resort to keep the children safe. Discussions are held with children to understand their views about what was happening for them when experiencing overwhelming emotions. All incidents are reviewed by leaders and managers, staff and the therapist. As a result, staff identify trends and triggers for the children and put successful strategies in place to help keep children safer.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The head of care is experienced and an exceptional leader. She is highly respected and valued by her colleagues and other professionals. She leads by example and her motivational practice drives forward continuous developments, including staff practice. This enhances and benefits children’s experiences and outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The school leadership team is invested and shares the head of care’s aspiration to make a difference to children’s lives. The senior leaders’ awareness of the residential provision’s strengths and development needs ensures that children continue to receive high-quality care. Thorough monitoring supports this comprehensive oversight. Leaders consistently seek external scrutiny of their practice, which further demonstrates the learning culture at this residential provision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff are up to date with their training requirements. Staff receive child-specific training from a variety of sources that are independent to the school. This helps staff to carry out their duties to a very high standard. Furthermore, staff’s knowledge and understanding of the children mean that they remain responsive to meet the children’s ever-changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have worked at the residential provision for years and all speak in high regard of the leaders and managers. They feel supported in their roles and that their welfare and well-being are paramount. Furthermore, staff benefit from frequent and reflective practice-related supervision. These holistic sessions provide staff with a wealth of support to help them to be effective in their roles. This promotes a caring culture that threads throughout staff’s approach towards children and one another. Inspection report for residential special school - Walworth School 4 Leaders and managers track the children’s progress and outcomes. They continually assess this through the constant review of care plans. The inspirational and influential leadership and management of the residential provision ensure that children achieve the best possible outcomes in all areas of their life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The independent visitor offers excellent insight into whether children’s needs are appropriately met in line with the national minimum standards. She makes effective recommendations for improvements when needed. Governors use these reports to support their oversight of the quality of care and experiences for children, ensuring that any recommendations are met quickly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The residential provision is highly regarded by an experienced governing body that understands how well it performs. Any of the governors can visit the residential provision. However, a designated governor regularly visits the boarding provision. This ensures that they understand issues that need to be challenged with the leadership of the school. Inspection report for residential special school - Walworth School 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for residential special school - Walworth School 6

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC040510

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: walworth@durhamlearning.net

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Inspectors

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Walworth School 7 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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